U.S. Soccer and Columbus Crew announce USA-Mexico ticketing options for September 10 clash at Crew Stadium

COLUMBUS – Tickets for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier against archrival Mexico – held at Crew Stadium on Tuesday, September 10 – will be made available to the public on Friday, July 19, the U.S. Soccer Federation and the Columbus Crew announced today. U.S. Soccer has implemented a random selection draw for this eagerly anticipated clash, while Crew Season Ticket Holders and Supporters Groups have priority access and will not be required to use the random selection system.

The U.S. Men’s National Team has never lost in the confines of Crew Stadium and holds a 3-0-0 record in three consecutive shutouts against El Tri in Columbus. Kickoff for the United States’ home World Cup Qualifier against Mexico is 8:00 p.m. ET, with the match being broadcast on ESPN, WatchESPN and UniMas. ESPN will have an hour-long pregame show, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET, while UniMas is conducting a two-hour long pregame show, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. Fans can also follow the match live online via ussoccer.com's MatchTracker and Twitter (@ussoccer).

Due to the anticipated high demand for tickets to the match, U.S. Soccer will use a random selection draw during the public phase of the sale. The process will ensure the general public has an equal opportunity to purchase tickets at face value directly through Ticketmaster.

The public sales phase will begin on Friday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. ET and end on Monday, July 22, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Individual ticket buyers will have the opportunity to request a maximum of four tickets via TheCrew.com/USA. Following the completion of the sales phase window, a computer program will randomly select individuals to receive their requested tickets. Those successful applicants will be notified and their transaction will be completed.

U.S. Soccer is working with the Columbus Crew to determine if additional seats can be added for the match. Fans that are selected to purchase tickets in the initial draw will be automatically re-entered for a chance to obtain the additional seats. These tickets will also be allocated via random selection.

“U.S. Soccer is taking this unique approach due to the expected high ticket demand,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “We’ve seen in the past few cycles that the USA-Mexico match in the Final Round of World Cup Qualifying is by far the most desired ticket, and we wanted to provide as many fans as possible a fair opportunity to purchase a ticket at face value.”

Prior to the public sale, Columbus Crew Season Ticket Holders and Supporters Groups will have priority access to purchase tickets and will not be required to use the reservation system. Details of these private pre-sale windows will be communicated to Crew Season Ticket Holders in the coming days.

Additionally, there are a limited number of tickets available through Crew Exclusive Season Ticket Packages that include tickets to the U.S. vs. Mexico match, tickets to Crew matches, parking and other significant benefits. There are also special group ticket programs that provide opportunities to purchase U.S. vs. Mexico tickets along with tickets to Crew matches this season. Details of these exclusive ticket offerings are available at TheCrew.com or by calling the Crew at 614-447-CREW.

“We’re pleased to announce the various opportunities for fans to experience one of the biggest matches in Crew Stadium history,” said Columbus Crew President and General Manager Mark McCullers. “From its origins as a trailblazing soccer-specific venue, Crew Stadium continues to be a special place to watch a soccer match because of the steadfast passion and support soccer fans in this region bring to the match and the home side – be it the Crew or the U.S. National Team. Following the announcement that Columbus would become the hub for a pivotal U.S. Soccer contest, we knew that our nation could count on Crew Stadium to provide a crucial home-field advantage.”

McCullers continues, “We have good reason to believe that this match in Columbus will break the March 26 television viewing record from the last time these two teams met, and we’re excited to capture the attention of the global soccer public.”

The March 26 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between the United States and Mexico – a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City – was the most-watched FIFA World Cup Qualifier in the history of ESPN (according to Nielsen Media Research). Seen by a combined audience of nearly 7 million viewers (2.39 million viewers on ESPN and 4.58 million on UniMas), the match was the highest-rated FIFA World Cup Qualifier in ESPN’s history. With the return leg of this crucial Hexagonal fixture taking place at Crew Stadium, interest is high in Columbus about the matchup. Columbus was tied for the third-highest locally rated market for the March 26 contest between the two sides, delivering a 2.4 coverage area rating.

The U.S. holds an unbeaten all-time record of 6-0-3 at Crew Stadium dating back to 2000. Overall, Crew Stadium has hosted seven FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with the U.S. collecting five wins and two draws. In nine matches in Columbus, the U.S. has surrendered only one goal and outscored its opponents 13-1 in that span. Just last season, Columbus was the site of the USA-Jamaica meeting in the CONCACAF Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, in which the U.S. captured a 1-0 victory over the Reggae Boyz in front of a sold-out crowd of 23,881 on September 11, 2012.